We had a great time in Genius Hour this week.  Students are settling well into their projects and having a great time.  Here are a few highlights:

This week we launched the official part of Genius Hour.  Next week, students will need to be ready to start their projects.  We will be spending 1-1.5 hours a week on this project.  It should be a project which students work on mainly at school so can’t involve power tools, large animals or other items impractical for school

I emailed some important details, including several attachments to help you understand what we’re doing and how you can help your child.  If you did not receive that, please email me as soon as possible.

This week is International Computer Science week (kind of like second Christmas for me).  One of the things that happens this week is called Hour of Code, where students and adults alike, around the world, do an hour of computer programming.  Computer programming, also known as CODING, has many benefits (see below).  Your child will have a website and login to some Hour of Code activities.  It would be great if they could have access to this.  I think you’ll find it educational and engaging and we may have some computer coders in our midst.  I’ll email specific class links to you as well.

Please include attribution to Kodable with this graphic.

 

On Thursday we worked on a critical thinking problem that I’ve challenged students to spend a bit of time on during the weekend.  (NOTE:  Parents of 4W, this will be assigned on Monday for your class).  Here it is:

Using the numbers 2,5,7,8, make different equations that total the numbers 15-30.  For example 2+5+7+8=22.  5+7+8-2=18 (so two are done for you).  ALL numbers (2,5,7,8) have to be used only once in each equation (so, 7+8+5=20 is no good because the 2 wasn’t used).

I don’t expect students to finish all these.  Just spend some time on it (perhaps half an hour).  We’re talking a lot about Grit and sticking to things that are hard.

Please take a few minutes to watch this video this weekend. It’s a great story about a boy with a huge imagination who made something very special.

Also, check out the DIY Website for more cool ideas about what you can do.

I have to admit I am very excited about spending 2 days a week in Grade 4 classrooms.   My passion has always been teaching in a classroom and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the two days I’ve already spent in each class.

There will be 3 main things going on in each class on the days I’m there.  First, I will be teaching the majority of the bible curriculum.  Now, daily devotions and bible memory will take place on the other days as well but the actual bible teaching will occur on my day.

Second, I will be doing Problem Solving/Critical thinking with the students.  Often this will be an extension of the curriculum covered in math but will also involve a variety of mind engaging activities that will push students to think carefully and work together to solve problems.

Finally students will spend a portion of their day doing something called Genius Hour.  More details will follow on this later as we’ll spend the first month or so gathering “tools” and practicing some skills necessary to make Genius Hour successful but, in brief, it will involve allowing student time to explore/learn about something that they are really passionate about.  Here is a bit of general information about this project.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at gwardle@meischools.com